Train To Pakistan shows what it must have been for the people caught in the middle of the Partition, when a country is divided along communal lines

Summary Of The Book

The Partition in history is a record of a point in time when the country was split apart along religious lines. It is an abstract piece of history for most people. While many books have documented the Partition and the violence surrounding it, most have focused on the social and political causes, and analyzed it as a collection of abstract data. Train To Pakistan is one of the books that focuses on the human drama, the real suffering of the people caught in the middle.

Mano Majra is a village that suddenly becomes part of a border between two countries. The population of the village is predominantly Sikh and Muslim. When news of communal riots and killings reach the village, the different communities express their support for each other and swear to defend one another. However, external influences are just waiting around the corner to disturb this idyllic harmony.

A train filled with the massacred bodies of Hindus and Sikhs arrives at Mano Majra. Slowly, passions gets stoked up, especially by the influx of refugees from the newly created Pakistan. They have tales of horror to tell, and the passions of Sikhs and Hindus of the village are stirred up.
Vested interests, including that of the village magistrate’s, stir up the flames. Hindus and Sikhs who just recently swore to stand by their Muslim neighbors now turn against them. Caught in all this are Juggut Singh and Iqbal. Juggut is a criminal, while Iqbal is a western educated intellectual who is on a mission to reform society. The common thread that binds them together is that they are both thrown into jail as suspects in a murder.

Ram Lal, a local moneylender, has been murdered. Ram Lal was a Hindu and this is used by subversive elements to incite violence against Muslims. The police, in a desperate attempt to divert attention, arrest Iqbal and Juggut.

Meanwhile, as the violence escalates, a train arrives to take the Muslim population of the village en masse to Pakistan. But the rioters have no intention of letting the Muslims leave in peace.

About Khushwant Singh

Khushwant Singh was a journalist and author.

Other books by this writer include The History of Sikhs, The Fall of the Kingdom of the Punjab, Not a Nice Man to Know: The Best of Khushwant Singh, Truth, Love and a Little Malice, The Sunset Club, and Paradise and Other Stories.

Khushwant Singh was born in 1915 in a region of Punjab which is now a part of Pakistan. He studied at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and at King's College in London. He later studied for the Bar at the Inner Temple. During his journalistic career, he has worked with numerous publications like the Yojana, The Illustrated Weekly of India, Hindustan Times and The National Herald. During his tenure as Editor of The Illustrated Weekly, the magazine’s circulation jumped from 65,000 to 400,000. Khushwant singh is known for his caustic wit. He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974.

Train To Pakistan is a historical novel by Khushwant Singh. thus I recommend it to every Indian who is interested in reading. Read it in English or read it in Hindi, for that that matter read it in any language you like but do read this heart-rending story of a forgotten time.

This is my first purchase from flipkart. I am happy with flipkart's delivery. The packing was extremely good. It reached within three working days, well before the mentioned delivery date. No one can beat flipkart when it comes to the quality of delivery. To say about this book, not many authors can write from their heart. Kushwant Singh is one who can do it all the time. The way he explains the nature of each character is breathtaking.He has taken extra care to clearly paint our imaginatio...

I have purchased from flipcart. Regarding cost and delivery schedule I have to complain. But the book is not the original one. It is photocopy of the original one. I mean to say it is pirated version of the book.

The author has brought out the anguish, helplessness of victims and authorities very eloquently. It is must read for those looking to understand contemporary politics in India. The sensitivities have been dealt with finesse unique to author. Book was delivered in time.

The piece from the writings of Khuswant Singh is just awesome. I description makes you feel u r into the place and everything is just happening in front of you. Its a great book & I feel it will surely be a part of your collection.

Time,season,wind, Government and many more change but kushwant singh ji's grip on explaining will remain a bench mark for all writers in India . OMG! the characters introduction , background , stories behind, situation and never the least climax is a master piece . We miss him now.

His works should be in syllabus of all Indian languages . Partition , who else can give insight about the pain,anxiety,cruelty,fear,bloodshed and other agonies to our generation , who just talk about trans music...